Westbrook, McNabb, Jackson miss practice

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (cracked rib), running back Brian Westbrook (swollen ankle) and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (groin strain) each will not practice this afternoon at the team's NovaCare Complex, coach Andy Reid said during his press conference this morning.

McNabb, who sat out Sunday's 48-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field, suffered the injury in the third quarter of the season-opener at Carolina. He began rehab on Sept. 14 and recently began throwing lightly.

"He's able to throw, not with great velocity or length right now, but he has thrown," Reid said.

If McNabb cannot play, Kevin Kolb will start his second NFL game, Reid said. The coach has not determined who his No. 2 quarterback will be against the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. Sunday back at the Linc.

But Reid is not ruling out McNabb.

"If he can function and not be in danger, keep himself out of danger and he can play, then he can," Reid said.

Westbrook, who sprained his right ankle in the second half against New Orleans, is listed as day-to-day. The swelling in his ankle has gone way down, Reid said, adding that he feels about about Westbrook's chances of playing against the Saints.

Jackson, who returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown in the season opener and scored on a 71-yard pass play against the Saints, went through the morning walkthrough. Reid did not say when the dazzling second-year pro will practice again.

Other injuries: LG Todd Herremans (foot) and CB Dimitri Patterson (fractured hand) are both out indefinitely.

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Current Comments

This is on the criticism of DeSean Jackson for fielding a punt within the 5 yard line.

Consider: 1. The time left in the game before half time (2 minutes or so); 2. The score and the stats at the time---equal; 3. The leaders for each team---McNabb out and Brees in; 4. The physical condition of Jackson starting the game—groin pull; 5. The talent of the Jackson and his ability to change the game; 6. The percentages of winning in a close game if it comes down to the end with Brees on the other side; and 5. The play of Jackson in this game---he’s hot.

He “scrambled” for 11 or more yards for a first down. He beat all defenders on a 71 yard touchdown pass. The week before this quote “Even though he did little damage catching the Football, Jackson made game-changing plays yesterday as the Eagles punt returner, Wildcat quarterback, and on a reverse during the team’s 38-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.” Against Carolina, on a fair catch of a 50 yard punt, there was a penalty that moved the ball back more. So who was going to do it for the Eagles?

Jackson uses instincts and gifted abilities. And but for the penalties, he was right in taking the punt. He picked up more than 30 with the CHANCE to go the distance and change the game.

Most Coaches teach most players to let punts go in the end zone on the three yard line---most--but likely not all. If the Eagles Special Teams coach made that fact known in all situations then case closed. Any other choice by the player is not correct. It is the coach’s call but that call is open to question by others.

Jackson is not like most players. His teammates know that. Exceptional returners pick up the team every time they touch the ball. It doesn’t matter to his teammates if he takes it Downtown. Players feel the buzz and get the charge---from the guys on the field to the starters resting on the bench.

I played on special teams for 4 years in the Pros. It was long ago but it is the same. Billy White Shoes Johnson was our guy. Everyone played better when he touched the ball---just touched it. And as I recall, it was always his call---always---whether to fair catch or take it out. He gave it his all to make something happen and so did everyone else on all units. And you and the other side never knew when he would score but you always felt the juice. At films on Monday, you counted out loud the number of players you cut.

Now to the point of all this: You have express instructions, you go by the rule and what the coach says. But for others to call taking this punt in this game under these circumstances a mental miscue or blunder is asinine. For anyone to suggest that returning that punt made the penalties of the blocking return team foreseeable is somewhere close to Mars. It is just plain football stupid.

The players on both teams knew going in what Brees could do and Kolb played well but Brees is a known down the stretch. With Jackson’s injury, he doesn’t know if he is around in the 4th quarter. Playmakers know it is on them to make it happen and more so if your quarterback playmaker is out. “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” — Wayne Gretzky.

Ralph Cindrich

Posted By: ralph cindrich | Sep 25, 2009 1:50:06 PM

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